Ashley Kelley, a third-generation farmer from Andalusia, Alabama, has a story different than most. Kelley grew up on his family’s farm but parted ways with it for a while as a young adult trying to find the right career path. Eventually, farming found its’ way back into his life. In 2009, he got back into the family business, tending around 600 acres of row crops. Now, Kelley and his two sons, Mason and Landon, farm over 3500 acres across Covington and Conecuh County. With almost 500 acres of peanuts harvested last year, he is fully enveloped in the peanut industry.
Kelley was elected to the Alabama Peanut Producers Board of Directors at the APPA Annual Meeting on February 1. He is replacing Glen Walters, who stepped down in 2024. Walters has been a wealth of knowledge to Kelley since getting back into farming and his greatest piece of advice was to get more involved so that he could have a say in the improvement of the peanut industry.
Like many others, Kelley didn’t have the best crop in 2023. “Our peanut yield wasn’t as good as it usually is. We fought wild hogs, dry weather, and hard ground. We had to replant almost an entire 83-acre field, said Kelley. “I’m still very thankful for what we had,” he added. Despite a hard year, he isn’t slowing down. With the help of his wife, Sandra, Kelley is preparing to plant over 600 acres of peanuts this year. APPA is looking forward to the new perspective that Kelley will bring to the board.
Sanders was elected president of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association.
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) held its annual meeting Feb. 1, 2024 in conjunction with the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show in Dothan, Alabama.
Delegates elected open director positions for the APPA board as well. Ashley Kelley was elected to hold Covington County’s open seat.
After the annual meeting was adjourned, the APPA Board of Directors convened to elect officers for 2024. Carl Sanders was re-elected to serve as President. Sanders has held this position for 24 years. Mark Kaiser was re-elected to his eighth year as Vice President. Jerry Byrd was re-elected to serve his 24th year as Treasurer.
2023 Alabama Peanut Producers Association Board of Directors
Carl Sanders, President, Coffee County
Mark Kaiser, Vice-President, Baldwin County
Jerry Byrd, Treasurer, Dale County
Thomas Adams, Henry County
Tom Corcoran, NE District
Darrin Driskell, SW District
Fred Helms, Houston County
Jimmy Royce Helms, Geneva County
Billy Hixon, NW District
Jesse Scott, Geneva County
Joel Sirmon, Baldwin County
Ashley Kelley, Covington County
Jason Weber, Escambia County
Ed White, Henry County
#